Shiny and Warm

Best of 2010

Song: Shiny and Warm
Artist: Godfrapp
Album: Head First





In the no huge surprise department... WeCastMusic LOVED Goldfrapp's latest 80's influenced offering, "Head First," which was released back in March.  But I must admit that at first... my opinion wasn't so strong.

After making THE electro-pop manifesto "Supernature" in 2005, and then the psychedelic-folktronica epic "Seventh Tree," it seemed that Goldfrapp could only misstep when returning to their dance floor roots.  I mean... how does anyone match something like "Supernature?"  Well... by swerving a bit.  I thought "Seventh Tree" was a brilliant follow up, completely different in sound and approach, and yet just as good... with melodies that grew on you and layers that opened up with repeat listens.  They of course needed to return to the dance floor but again, how to even come close to the perfection that was "Supernature?"

First single "Rocket" initially seemed all kitch.  The over-the-top 80's sound, jet blast effects, and seemingly goofy chorus just seemed a bit off.  We'd come so use to Goldfrapp coming across so hard and fierce in their dance music... they aren't bloody Laura Branigan!  But as always, Goldfrapp manages to transcend all of that... once again made an emotional dance record that looks to the past to make sense of the present.  And also, the 80's influence isn't as strong on all of the tracks... it's just a vibe.

Like all Goldfrapp albums since their first, "Head First" is filled with just one great track after another.  From the etherial, in the clouds, pop of "Believer" and "Dreaming" to the harder dance tracks "Alive" and "Shiny and Warm," and then the mid-tempo ballads "Head First" and "Hunt"; the album is brimming with songs that initially seem dipped in a coat of cheese only to unfold themselves as heartfelt personal emoting.  As goofy as "Rocket" seemed initially, hearing "I've got a rocket, you're going on it, you're never coming back," married to "But I still wanna know, how she walked in the door uninvited" paints a picture of love lost and jealousy that really resonates despite its goofy veneer.

"Head First" isn't exactly perfect though.  I think it's short by two songs as the last track, "Voicething," goes for the experimental and seems out of place.  So at just eight "real" tracks... it seems light.  Though I'd certainly take an abbreviated solid song-cycle versus filler here and there.  If you're a fan, they've done it again.  And if you're not... you can start here.

Enjoy.

Shiny and Warm


Alive


Believer